Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (extent of occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend is suspected to be stable and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size exceeds the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
Entire population confined to the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, where Hansen et al. (2022) estimated a total non-breeding population of 70,000 birds in 2016 (based off count data which yielded at least 61,612 birds). Given this estimate was made using data from the non-breeding season, not all birds counted are estimated to be mature individuals. The percentage of mature individuals in any given year is estimated to be 60-70%, thus giving a total population of 42,000-49,000 mature individuals.
Trend justification
Suspected to be stable, although the trend of this species is ultimately highly uncertain, but with reasonable confidence (following Clemens et al. (2021) that previously suggested moderately rapid declines (e.g. Amano et al. 2010, Garnett et al. 2011, MacKinnon et al. 2012, Wetlands International 2014) have not been sustained. Most recent trend data are highly conflicting, with the following estimates of change over three generations: +32% (Clemens et al. 2016), +17% (Studds et al. 2017), –21% (Clemens et al. 2019; Waterbird meta-analysis) and –32% (Clemens et al. 2019; GAMS to three generations). Clemens et al. (2021) concluded an overall trend of -1% over the past three generations, citing as additional evidence that detailed monitoring in north-west Australia (Rogers et al. 2020) found little evidence for rapid declines.
Overall, the rate of population reduction is therefore set here to 0-32% to capture the considerable uncertainty in available data, but with a best estimate of only 0% (i.e. a stable population) following Clemens et al. (2021).
Entire population confined to the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Breeds in north-central and north-eastern Siberia in the Putorana mountains, from the Verkhoyansk mountains and Transbaikalia east to Anadyrland, and probably in Kamchatka and the North Kuril Islands, Russia, and winters in Taiwan, China, southern Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, through Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands to Australia (del Hoyo et al. 1996).
This species breeds in May to late August in northern montane taiga and forest tundra, along rivers and streams and on the stone or pebble shorelines of lakes (del Hoyo et al. 1996). Its nest is usually a shallow depression, often on a stony riverbed, and there are usually four eggs in a clutch. In the non-breeding season it is found on sheltered coasts with reefs and rock platforms or with intertidal mudflats, as well as shorelines with rocks, shingle, gravel or shells, often roosting in mangroves. On migration, it is predominantly coastal, but may occur at inland wetlands such as paddyfields. On its breeding grounds, it feeds mainly on insects, with its diet in the non-breeding season largely comprising crabs, along with other crustaceans, polychaetes, molluscs, insects and occasionally fish (del Hoyo et al. 1996).
Previously the main threats at stopover sites and on the wintering grounds were the loss and degradation of wetlands, including from pollution, reclamation, and urban and industrial expansion, as well as disturbance and hunting (Garnett et al. 2011). However, in Australia there are no major threats with most birds spending the non-breeding season along sparsely populated coasts (Clemens et al. 2021). Elsewhere the main threats are considered to be changes to coastal stop-over locations, particularly along coasts where there is rapid development for housing and industry (Murray et al. 2014; Melville et al. 2016) and sea-level rise (Iwamura et al. 2013), but threats appear to be having much less impact than on most migratory shorebirds in the flyway (Branson et al. 2010).
Conservation Actions Underway
CMS Appendix II. This species has been the subject of surveys in various parts of its range. Action is being undertaken to alleviate pressures on a suite of migrant species that use the East Asia-Australia Flyway.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct widespread and coordinated surveys across the species' range to assess its overall population trend. Carry out awareness-raising and education activities to reduce hunting pressure where this is a problem. Work with bird-trappers to develop alternative livelihoods. Increase protected area coverage of habitat used by the species at different stages of its annual cycle. Work with governments and the private sector to reduce development pressure on coastal habitats.
Text account compilers
Vine, J.
Contributors
Fuller, R.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/grey-tailed-tattler-tringa-brevipes on 23/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/11/2024.